The Icon Series returns, and this time Rachael steps up to the director’s chair to shine a spotlight on a performer who didn’t just enter scenes… he quietly took ownership of them and redecorated the place.

We’re diving into the extraordinary life and career of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Not quite Old Hollywood, but every bit as golden. A master of nuance, discomfort, vulnerability, and the kind of intensity that makes you forget you’re watching acting at all. Just people. Messy, brilliant, unforgettable people.

From his early days as the ultimate “that guy” character actor to becoming an Oscar-winning powerhouse, Hoffman built a career on performances that linger long after the credits roll. The kind that creep into your brain at 2am and demand a rewatch.

Along the way, Rachael takes pit stops at three of his most defining roles:

• Capote – the performance that earned him the Oscar and proved subtlety can hit like a sledgehammer

• Doubt – where ambiguity, tension, and moral chess matches simmer just beneath the surface

• The Master – a hypnotic, unpredictable turn that feels less like acting and more like controlled chaos

Expect insight, admiration, a few laughs, and the occasional moment of “how did he do that?” disbelief.

Because some actors play characters.

Philip Seymour Hoffman became them… then made you feel slightly uncomfortable for watching.

Who do you want to see us cover us next? Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through our socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

Support our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:06:18 - PSH Pt 1

00:10:37 - Capote

00:20:53 - Doubt

00:32:02 - PSH Pt 2

00:36:13 - The Master

00:45:40 - PSH Pt 3

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This week, we unleash the beasts.

Joined by friend of the pod and quite possibly the world’s most qualified (self-appointed) monster movie expert, we dive fang-first into the wild, weird, and wonderfully chaotic history of monster cinema. From the gothic gloom of early Universal legends like Dracula and Frankenstein, through the skyscraper-scaling chaos of King Kong and the atomic rage of Godzilla, all the way to the gloriously unhinged creature features of the 80s and 90s… we cover it all.

But this isn’t just a history lesson. Oh no. This is a full autopsy.

What actually makes a great monster movie? Is it the creature design? The chaos? The humans making absolutely baffling decisions? We break down what works, what really doesn’t, and the films that should probably be locked away in a cursed tomb forever.

Speaking of cursed tombs… we shine a spotlight on one of Mike’s all-time favourites and a certified Third Reel darling: The Mummy. With a new instalment looming (yes, really, and yes, with original cast whispers), there’s never been a better time to revisit this swashbuckling, sand-blasted classic. We also… reluctantly… dig up the sequels. Some things are better left buried, but here we are. Yes, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, we’re looking directly at you. And yes… we do acknowledge the Tom Cruise one. Briefly. Like a jump scare you wish you could forget.

We also ask the big question: has monster cinema peaked, or is the best still lurking in the shadows, waiting for its moment?

Grab your pitchforks, light a torch, and press play. Just… maybe don’t read any ancient texts out loud while listening.

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The journey doesn’t end at Mount Doom… it ends here, in the comfiest of chairs, with a debrief that’s part therapy session, part tribunal, and part long-overdue reckoning.

After trekking through three films, approximately 47 endings, and enough sweeping New Zealand vistas to make us consider early retirement as sheep farmers, we’re wrapping up our Lord of the Rings review series with a very special guest: Claire — superfam, fiancé to our very own host, and, crucially, someone who has endured listening to all of this.

And now… she gets her say.

We’re diving into the age-old debate: extended editions or theatrical cuts — indulgent masterpieces or just Peter Jackson refusing to leave the party? Claire delivers her verdict on our reviews (brace yourselves), calling out the nonsense, agreeing where it’s deserved, and possibly questioning a few life choices along the way.

But that’s not all. Oh no. We’re handing out awards like we’re at the Middle-earth Oscars:

• Favourite Frodo moment (yes, he does more than just look stressed)
• Best action scene (there may be shouting)
• MVPs, unsung heroes, and possibly a few characters who should’ve stayed in the Shire

Expect laughs, gentle roasting, and the kind of chaotic energy that only comes from revisiting a trilogy this massive with someone who’s been watching from the sidelines, taking notes… and waiting.

So pour yourself a pint, second breakfast optional, and join us as we close the book on one of the greatest trilogies ever made — with honesty, humour, and just a hint of “did we actually get any of this right?”

If you have any things you want to discuss about this film or Lord of the Rings in general, email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through our socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

Support our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpod

All music used in this podcast is for commentary and review purposes under fair use. We give full credit to the original composers and right holders, and acknowledge that we do not own any of the music featured.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here it is. The final march. The last stand. The emotional, slightly overlong, absolutely iconic conclusion to our Lord of the Rings deep-dive series.

In Part 2 of our Return of the King review, we pick up from the chaos of Pelennor Fields and charge headfirst into everything that follows: the battles, the sacrifices, the speeches that make you want to run through a wall for Gondor… and yes, every single one of those endings. All of them. We’re counting. We’re judging. We’re emotionally recovering.

This is where it all comes together. Character arcs reach their breaking points, the stakes hit their absolute peak, and we finally answer the question that’s been hanging over this entire series like a suspiciously sentient ring:

is Return of the King actually the best of the trilogy?

With Fellowship setting the gold standard and Two Towers wildly overperforming in our rankings, this finale has a lot to live up to. Do our long-held, rose-tinted memories hold strong… or does reality sneak in like Gollum at 3am and ruin everything?

We break down the final acts, give our final scores, and lock in our definitive ranking of the entire trilogy. No take-backs. No rewinds. This is it.

And with that… Middle-earth closes its doors for now, as we prepare to leave behind epic fantasy perfection and step bravely, questionably, into the world of… Twilight. Pray for us.

FULL SPOILERS FOR LORD OF THE RINGS THE RETURN OF THE KING IN THIS EPISODE. You have been warned.

If you have any things you want to discuss about this film or Lord of the Rings in general, email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through our socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

Support our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpod

All music used in this podcast is for commentary and review purposes under fair use. We give full credit to the original composers and right holders, and acknowledge that we do not own any of the music featured.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:08:45 - Review: Act 2

00:51:05 - Review: Act 3

01:42:44 - Closing Thoughts & Scores

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We did it. We actually did it. After trekking through Middle-earth like slightly underprepared hobbits with a podcast mic, we’ve reached the crown jewel: The Return of the King. Or as we’re calling it, The Return of the Return of the King, because nothing in this trilogy happens just once… especially endings.

This week marks the beginning of the end (but not the end… there are several of those), as we dive into Part 1 of our deep-dive review, covering everything from the film’s opening right up to the thunderous build toward the Battle of Pelennor Fields. It’s politics, prophecy, ghost armies on standby, and at least one character making decisions that make you want to gently (or not so gently) shake them.

For years, Return of the King has been locked in an internal battle with Fellowship of the Ring for the top spot in our rankings. Fellowship set the bar sky-high. The Two Towers came in swinging harder than expected and left us slightly stunned. So now the question looms like a giant flaming eye…

does Return of the King actually live up to the legend, or have we all just been under the spell of cinematic nostalgia?

Expect big moments, bigger opinions, and at least one rant about how many endings is too many endings (answer: we still don’t know).

Next week, we finish what we started with Part 2, where we tackle Acts 2 and 3, deliver our final scores, and officially rank The Lord of the Rings trilogy once and for all. Stakes have never been higher. Friendships may not survive.

Grab your lembas bread and settle in.

FULL SPOILERS FOR LORD OF THE RINGS THE RETURN OF THE KING THIS EPISODE. You have been warned.

If you have any things you want to discuss about this film or Lord of the Rings in general, email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through our socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

Support our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpod

All music used in this podcast is for commentary and review purposes under fair use. We give full credit to the original composers and right holders, and acknowledge that we do not own any of the music featured.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:13:48 - Review: Act 1

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We sent one man, one podcast, and an unreasonable amount of expectations into space… what could possibly go wrong?

In this Reel Kwik Review, we’re diving headfirst into Project Hail Mary, the latest film from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, starring the ever-reliable Ryan Gosling, some delightfully weird science, and yes… spider-shaped aliens. Because cinema.

This was one of our most anticipated films of 2026, and with Dale being a full-blown disciple of Andy Weir’s novel, the stakes are higher than a malfunctioning spaceship hurtling toward the sun. So the big questions: does it do the book justice? Does it work for newcomers? And is this a genuine contender for film of the year… or just floating aimlessly in the void?

We break it all down:

• First half: spoiler-free thoughts, hot takes, and whether it’s worth your time
• Then: our verdict and recommendations
• Final stretch: full spoiler breakdown for those ready to go full galaxy brain 🧠✨

Expect science, chaos, and at least one of us pretending we fully understand astrophysics.

What film do you want to see covered? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

Support our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:10:00 - Spoiler-Free Thoughts

00:33:03 - Full Spoiler Review

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No, the robots aren’t writing the scripts just yet… they’re just helping build the set.

This week on The Third Reel, we sit down with multi-award-winning filmmaker Toby Hyder, who’s quietly (and very cleverly) using AI not to replace storytelling - but to enhance it. Think less “AI takes over Hollywood” and more “AI carries the heavy bags while the humans make the art.”

Toby breaks down how he writes and directs his films in the traditional sense - working with real actors, real performances, and actual human emotion - before using his custom-built motion capture rig to drop those performances into richly realised, AI-assisted worlds. It’s filmmaking that feels both cutting-edge and reassuringly… human.

We dig into his multi award-winning short Bones of Yew, exploring how historical accuracy, performance capture, and AI rendering all come together to create something that looks massive in scale without losing its soul.

Along the way, we chat:

🎬 Whether AI is best suited as a tool for indie filmmakers rather than a Hollywood takeover artist

🎬 How tech can support creativity without stepping on its toes

🎬 And why the future of cinema might be less about replacement… and more about collaboration

It’s a fascinating look at where filmmaking is heading - where the heart stays human, and the pixels just help it beat louder.

Apologies on some of the sound issues heard during this episode, we did our best to clean it up.

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

Support our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Toby's Background

00:17:02 - AI in Film

00:41:02 - Bones of Yew Deep Dive

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New format alert! 🚨

After a while tinkering in the podcast lab (and possibly knocking over a few beakers), we’ve emerged with something fresh for you lovely listeners: The Third Reel Tier List.

You know the drill. The internet’s favourite pastime. Ranking things into neat little rows of judgement. S Tier, A Tier, B Tier… and the dreaded D Tier. Usually it’s chocolates, crisps, or the correct order of biscuits for tea dunking. But we thought… why not do it with one of the most beloved studios in film history?

So this week we’re diving headfirst into the colourful, emotionally devastating, toy-filled world of Pixar.

From the game-changing arrival of Toy Story to tear-jerkers like Up, modern adventures such as Inside Out, and every car, monster, rat and robot in between… we rank the entire Pixar filmography and decide once and for all:

🎬 Which films deserve the S-Tier crown

🎬 Which comfortably cruise through A and B tier

🎬 Which land with a slightly awkward thud in C or D tier

🎬 And when exactly Pixar’s unstoppable golden run started to wobble

If you love Pixar movies, animated films, movie rankings, and film podcasts, this episode is basically a giant animated playground. Come join us as we attempt the impossible: ranking Pixar.

Which group of films do you want to see us cover next? We want to know!

Email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through the socials @third_reel_pod

https://linktr.ee/thirdreelpod

Support our Patreon for more TTR! https://patreon.com/thirdreelpod

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:16:54 - Initial Rankings

01:51:15 - Confirming Rankings

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.